Max patch mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the great smoky mountains. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but. Come celebrate it by volunteering your time on max patch, one of the iconic jewels of the appalachian trail, and a highlight of all trails in western north carolina. Hot springs is the only north carolina town where the at passes directly through the heart of downtown. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. Max patch on the appalachian trail, pisgah forest, north carolina. Heading left the trail follows an old logging road along the wooded west slope of max patch. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. This easy and beautiful hike at max patch should be added to your north carolina winter bucket list this year. And, on this full day trip, we would like to guide you to one of the most beautiful parts of that trail.
Except for the dramatic approach to max patch this section of the at is mainly rolling soft hills that a novice hiker would not realize the 10 miles or so you would log at the end of the day. Sitting just inside north carolina along the boundary with tennessee, the mountain. From the parking area at max patch, the trail starts off going north. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north carolina. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. Nov 09, 2016 join us as we make our way to max patch and tn by way of hurricane creek. It is a 6 mile drive down a maintained but bumpy u. Located on the border between the states of north carolina and tennessee, near asheville, the summit of max patch is approximately 4,600 feet high. Nov 15, 2016 the hike follows the max patch spur trail to the appalachian trail, and then climbs through the mountains expansive fields of golden grasses, wildflowers and wild berries in a steady climb to the. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Max patch road to hot springs or other hot springs, north carolina hiking trails. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a.
Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers. North carolinas hiking trails are as epic as they are plentiful. Visitors from all over the world travel here to hike this section of the at. On the tennessee side the road forks with fr 22501 heading left and fr. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The hike follows the max patch spur trail to the appalachian trail, and then climbs through the mountains expansive fields of golden grasses, wildflowers and wild berries in. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. There are nearly 40 miles of trails available in the area, including the appalachian trail, which runs along the spine of the mountains along the state line from i40 up to max patch mountain. Max patch mountain hot springs, north carolina hiking. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Areas nc west and mountains pisgah national forest. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north carolina. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs.
From the parking area you have a choice of going left or right on official trails. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers, and one of north carolinas most popular at hikes. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Nice hike along a treeless summit of rolling hills. Mar 28, 2020 on june 2, 2018, national trails day, more than 100 volunteers chopped, pruned, drilled, sawed, shoveled, hacked, planted and hammered a 2mile section of the appalachian trail that crosses max. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north carolina in pisgah national forest. Hiking to the very top of a mountain bald in north carolina is fulfilling for many reasons. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north carolina in pisgah national. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Appalachian trail town when people think of hiking in hot springs, nc, their first thought is of the appalachian trail. Hiking at max patch begins at the parking lot where a trail heads left and another trail heads right. The vast majority of the people who visit max patch hike the 2. Hiking trails near max patch mountain hiking project. Plan a thruhike on the appalachian trail or mountainstosea trail, or choose a day hike in a state park or national forest.
Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina. Each trail has its own printable page with all the information and links, including where available. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. Regardless, it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. There are two other view spots on the meadow on buckeye ridge that afford a great view of max patch from the base of the knob. If you would like to introduce someone to hiking, the trek from max patch to lemon gap would be great. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. On june 2, 2018, national trails day, more than 100 volunteers chopped, pruned, drilled, sawed, shoveled, hacked, planted and hammered a 2mile section of. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. Its dark, its cold, and lets be honest no one really wants to get out and be active in the dead of winter. There is a third trail up the middle, that youll see many people using, but the national forest signs clearly indicate the trail is closed. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead.
The unaka, black, great balsam, plott balsam, and great smoky mountain ranges are home to the highest peaks in the east and can all be seen from max patch. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. Max patch hike hiking virginia, maryland, west virginia. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian. Catch a gorgeous sunrise, sunset or afternoon picnic on this moderate two mile loop with stunning 360degree views and seemingly endless sunshine. Max patch mountain at 4,629 feet is not close to being the tallest peak in the region, but you are surrounded by countless 5,000 and 6,000foot peaks in every direction. Max patch on the appalachian trail pisgah forest, north.
Max patch and hot springs is a hiking adventure located in or near asheville, nc. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Nov 27, 2019 this easy and beautiful hike at max patch should be added to your north carolina winter bucket list this year. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking. Well worth the detour, the hike to the top is part of a small loop that is well marked. Max patch is a birding, hiking adventure located in or near hot springs, nc. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north. Long climbs in and out of gaps will test your hiking legs in this popular section of the at. It contains quite a few more hiking trails and attractions to explore. View max patch is a highland bald with a 360 degree view of western nc, the great smoky mountains, and eastern tennessee. The appalachian trail is one of the most famous trails in the united states.
The best backpacking trails in north carolina rei coop journal. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. National forests in north carolina max patch usda forest service. This 311 mile section of the appalachian trail features many scenic vistas and a spectacular walk along a ridgeline in great smoky mountains national park. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the appalachian trail. Max patch day hike on the appalachian trail, near asheville, nc. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. In a region home to almost 40 peaks over 6000 feet, max patch stands a humble 4629. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolina s most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers.
Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian trail. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. Max patch is by far the most popular destination for hiking in the immediate area, and for good reason. The hike up to the top is more than worth the spectacular view. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before.
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